Most employers expect applicants to submit a cover letter with every application. Your cover letter, like your resume, is a marketing tool, so make sure your letter is attention grabbing, unique and highlights your relevant talents.
Importance
Find out why these subjects are important to your career, and see the proof in our statistical research.
Why
Your cover letter, an important marketing tool, should highlight your most attractive qualifications, impelling the employer to read your resume and call you in for an interview.
Statistics
Cover letters began to evolve several decades ago. In their original form, they were known as transmittal letters - brief letters indicating that the writer was transmitting a resume. Over the course of time, transmittal letters evolved into cover letters - letters that 'covered' the resume and introduced the job seeker. Today, cover letters have again transformed themselves and can be much more accurately described as career marketing letters - letters that are designed to market the job seeker, highlight notable qualifications and career successes, and generate an invitation for a personal interview.
One third of the individuals to whom you write a letter will never read it; one third will always read it; and one third may read it if the resume is interesting and catches their immediate attention.
When writing your letters, remember that you are always writing to the latter two categories of readers - the ones who are most likely to read your letter and take action - because you don't know which category your reader will fall into, all of your cover letters must be powerful, well written and well presented.
To learn more, read Cover Letter Magic by Wendy S. Enelow and Louise Kursmark
What To Do
Looking for a job or planning a career requires groundwork and careful preparation. The more you know about how to do it, the greater the probability of your success. A comprehensive list of Tips and Tools has been put together to help you no matter what stage of the job search process you are at. There is no use being told what to do, you need the tools to do it, giving you the confidence to identify and secure your perfect job.
Tips (Theory)
A cover letter is the first information about you that an employer will read - it will determine whether your resume is read. Helpful hints for preparing cover letters include:
1 page only ... well-presented and error-free.
Clearly expressed and business-like.
Positive and persuasive.
Focused on employer's requirements, not your needs.
Consistent with resume.
Specific to each job application.
Most hiring managers expect a cover letter with every application to introduce you, the candidate, and to see immediate skills relevant to the position. Nowadays the opening paragraph of your cover letter must have much more impact than that common phrase... "Please find enclosed my resume ..."
Tools (Practice)
Here is a useful tool for Writing a Cover Letter
Caution
An employer may receive hundreds of cover letters. You need to create enough interest in your opening that the employer feels compelled to continue reading.
Do not send out your resume without a cover letter.
Information
We are continually on the lookout for useful information for the jobseekers. In order to better serve you, we now post relevant articles, news items, events and service providers that may be of interest to you.
Further Research
The following career-related articles have been carefully selected to assist you in the job search decision-making process.
Learn more about the specific Types of Cover Letters
Links
http://www.uwec.edu/Career/Students/jobsearch/coverletters.htm
Service Providers
Here are a list of service providers to assist you with your job search and employment opportunities.
First Place Resumes
Contact:
Head Office
Australia
Phone (Within Australia): 1800 800 913
Phone (International): +61 7 5578 2433
Fax: +61 (0)7 5596 4178
Email: info@firstplaceresumes.com
Website: www.firstplaceresumes.com
Company Description:
First Place Resumes is the only resource you need to secure the job you?ve always wanted. With a 92% success rate, we take pride in helping our clients win.
First Place Resumes provides high calibre career development services across all business sectors and industries. Our qualified and highly experienced team of resume writers and service professionals are dedicated to bring out your best on paper and in person.
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